- HB Cigars
- 19 hours ago
- 4 min read
Who doesn't like a lake? People who can't swim for one, also cats who treat water like it personally insulted their ancestors. But Steve Saka loves Umbagog Lake State Park in New Hampshire so much he named an entire cigar line after his favorite fishing spot. The Bronzeback is the latest addition to this aquatic-themed lineup, created as an homage to Henry Clay cigars from the '80s and '90s - back when people had legitimate mullets and thought Zubaz pants were a reasonable fashion choice. This cigar uses Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers that Saka deemed "too ugly" for his premium Mi Querida line, proving that sometimes the discount bin contains hidden gems rather than just sad clearance items nobody wanted.
🔥 THE VITALS 🔥
Cigar: Umbagog Bronzeback
Master Blender: Steve Saka - Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust founder who refuses to waste perfectly good tobacco just because it's not Instagram-ready
Size: Rothschild 5 x 48
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Broadleaf "2LS" (harvested from 1/3 to 1/2 mark on plant stalk)
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium-Full
Price: $9.75 per stick
Aging: Regular production, debuted at 2024 PCA Trade Show
🚀 WE ARE LIT!
Draw: Great - smooth airflow
Burn: Consistent and even with minimal drama
Smoke Output: Solid production
Ash: White and compact, holds well before surrendering
Construction is flawless from head to foot. Honestly don't notice anything wrong with the wrapper despite it being "aesthetically challenged" enough to get rejected from the Mi Querida line. The Connecticut Broadleaf shows gritty texture and a light oil sheen - it looks rustic and authentic rather than cosmetically perfect. Sold in 10-count craft paper bundles at $9.75 each, making this one of the better value plays in the Dunbarton portfolio. The "2LS" wrapper designation refers to leaves from a specific position on the tobacco plant that produces less sweetness but significantly more pepper compared to traditional Broadleaf.
🎢 FLAVOR JOURNEY
FIRST THIRD: EARTHY PEPPER FOUNDATION
earth, smooth Pepper, caramel, cedar
Earth dominates the opening alongside smooth pepper that provides spice without aggression. Caramel sweetness emerges unexpectedly, balancing the earthier elements with just enough sugar to keep things interesting. Cedar rounds out the profile, creating a foundation that's approachable but not boring - like meeting someone at a party who actually has stories worth hearing instead of just complaining about their commute.
SECOND THIRD: ESPRESSO TRANSITION
smooth earth, espresso, charred cedar
Smooth earth continues while espresso takes center stage, delivering robust coffee character that wakes up your palate. Charred cedar appears, adding rustic backbone to the profile. The flavors intensify without becoming harsh, showing thoughtful blending rather than just throwing Nicaraguan tobacco together and hoping for chemistry. This section delivers the most refined experience of the entire smoke.
FINAL THIRD: CHARRED LEATHER FINISH
earth, charred wood, leather
Earth persists through the final act while charred wood becomes the dominant force. Leather emerges providing classic cigar character without feeling cliché. The finish is strong and clean, ending without bitterness or heat buildup - this cigar knows when to exit gracefully rather than overstaying its welcome like that one friend who never picks up on social cues.
🏆 THE VERDICT
A TIER
Flavor: A
Construction: A
Availability: B
Price: B+
Final Rating:
The Dunbarton Umbagog Bronzeback delivers exceptional quality at a price point that doesn't require selling body parts to afford. The "ugly" Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper performs beautifully, with the 2LS priming position creating a distinctly peppery profile that differentiates it from sweeter Broadleaf offerings. At ~$9.75, this represents genuine value in an increasingly expensive market.
📊 BOTTOM LINE
Steve Saka's philosophy of using "aesthetically challenged" wrappers that are still high-quality tobacco pays off spectacularly with the Umbagog Bronzeback. This cigar proves that cosmetic perfection doesn't equal smoking quality - sometimes the slightly gnarly wrapper delivers better flavor than its prettier siblings. The homage to Henry Clay cigars from the '80s and '90s isn't just nostalgia marketing; the 2LS Connecticut Broadleaf actually recreates that classic peppery Broadleaf profile that defined those earlier blends. The all-Nicaraguan binder and filler provide solid backbone without overwhelming the wrapper's contribution, creating balance rather than just throwing strength at your face. Construction from the NACSA factory in Estelí is impeccable - perfect draw, even burn, consistent ash formation. For a cigar sold in craft paper bundles (the packaging equivalent of showing up to prom in your dad's Camry), the Bronzeback delivers premium smoking experience. The flavor progression from earthy pepper through espresso to charred leather shows intentional blending rather than happy accidents. At under $10, this competes favorably with cigars costing significantly more, making it an easy recommendation for daily rotation. The Umbagog line continues to demonstrate that value-focused doesn't mean quality-compromised. Dunbarton's limited production keeps these from flooding the market, maintaining that boutique cachet while remaining accessible to normal people who don't have trust funds. If you enjoy Connecticut Broadleaf but want more pepper and less sweetness, the Bronzeback delivers exactly that profile with excellent construction. This is the kind of cigar you buy by the bundle and smoke without guilt - solid enough to impress but affordable enough to not require special occasions or justifications to your spouse about cigar budgets.
TLDR: I think I like the OG better, but if you like pepper and earth this one's for you.
